And Operator Therefor Patents (Class 24/633)
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Patent number: 7166032Abstract: A passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt and each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: John Douglas Smith, James Burgess, Joel Fritsche, Chris Hellsten, Tim Kelley, Michael Mathaisel, Mario Scarabino, Dave Wiedman
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Patent number: 7165294Abstract: Housing for containing excess cargo tie-down material, and for containing the locking mechanism to reduce its exposure to the environmental elements. The housing is in the form of a generally flat portion and a sack made of durable material. The sack is configured to receive excess strap or other tie-down element, and to neatly fold about the locking mechanism to protect the same from severe environmental conditions. The generally flat portion includes opposite free end flaps that when folded towards each other, envelope the locking mechanism and sack.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Inventor: Christopher Surdam
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Patent number: 7159284Abstract: A seat belt buckle, in particular for racing vehicles, having: a casing defining at least one slot engageable by an end member of a strap of a seat belt for connection; a lock mechanism housed in the casing and for releasably retaining the end member; and a release lever fitted to the casing and movable, from a rest position, along a path lying in an actuating plane to release the lock mechanism from the end member, the release lever having an end projecting from the casing in the actuating plane as the release lever moves along the path. The buckle also has a lever guard portion fitted to the casing and having a lateral surface, an ideal extension of which in a direction perpendicular to the actuating plane surrounds the end of the release lever in the rest position.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Belt & Buckle S.r.l.Inventor: Roberto Gastaldi
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Patent number: 7155785Abstract: A buckle device includes a buckle body that includes a bottom plate and a pair of side walls with a tongue plate being inserted and retained between the side walls, and a release button that includes an operation portion that is push-operated along the insertion direction to release the retention of the tongue plate. Elongated holes along the insertion direction of the tongue plate are formed in the pair of side walls of the buckle body. The release button also includes a pair of arm portions that extend in the insertion direction from both width-direction ends of the operation portion, a pair of extension portions that have a predetermined elasticity and extend from width-direction ends of the pair of arm portions toward the bottom plate, and pawl portions that protrude from ends of the pair of extension portions toward the side walls and movably fit into the elongated holes.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventor: Tetsushi Muromachi
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Patent number: 7152282Abstract: There is disclosed a fastener for clips to be applied to jewelry and costume jewelry products and to clothing accessories, bags and the like. The fastener utilizes a mechanical device actuated through the action of magnets. According to one arrangement, the mobile components of the clip, shaped substantially in the form of small pins that carry out the mechanical fastening, consist of magnets, for which, in each pair of said permanent magnets, there is mutual attraction and therefore closing of the fastening device when they are arranged with the poles opposite, i.e. when one is arranged in such a way that its positive pole faces towards the negative pole of the other.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Cost-Cast S.R.L.Inventor: Antonio Costa
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Patent number: 7144086Abstract: A shoulder belt clip for restraining a child in a child safety seats or carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder belt clip is comprised of a plate made of flexible material and with two horizontal slots arranged in parallel on one side and a U-shaped opening on the other. The two straight slots maintain attachment to, but allow the clip to slide vertically on, the webbing that runs over the left shoulder of the child. The U-shaped opening forms a tab that admits entry of the webbing that runs over the right shoulder of the child and holds it until release is desired by the parent. A narrowing of the U-shaped opening causes compression of the webbing between the tab and the opening and thereby prevents slippage of the clip vertically on the webbing that runs over the left shoulder of the child.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Inventors: John A. Harcourt, William P. Munsell, Jr.
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Patent number: 7137178Abstract: A protective device for a latch release actuator of a vehicle seat belt. The protective device comprises a shield having an aperture. The shield is attachable to a latch body such that the shield substantially surrounds the latch release actuator and the aperture is situated proximate the latch release actuator so as to deter unintended actuation of the latch release actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Daume, Hidetsugu Okazaki
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Patent number: 7124480Abstract: A shock-proof device disposed in a buckle includes at least a latch member for engaging a tongue so as to latch the tongue; a release button for releasing the tongue from the latch member; and an inertia lever with a rotation shaft rotatably arranged for preventing the release button from moving at least in a release direction of the release button by abutting against the release button. The shock-proof device further includes torque-difference generating mechanism for generating a torque difference between a first torque and a second torque. The first torque is applied to the inertia lever when the inertial force is applied to the release button and the inertia lever in the release direction of the release button. The second torque is applied to the inertia lever when the inertial force is applied to the release button and the inertia lever in the non-release direction of the release button.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Yoshihiko Kawai, Takaaki Kimura
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Patent number: 7117569Abstract: An adjustable fastener such as one suitable for use in securing straps in a variety of orthotic and other types of devices. The fastener has a male portion and a female portion that are each attached to a strap or other desired location on the device with which the fastener is used. The male portion has an elongated tab and the female portion has a housing and a passage through the housing. The passage allows the elongated tab to slide through the housing in the female portion. An engagement finger in the housing is resiliently biased to engage one or more teeth along an edge of the elongated tab to prevent the elongated tab from sliding further out of the passage. The finger can be selectively disengaged from the teeth to allow the elongated tab to slide further or completely out of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
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Patent number: 7093331Abstract: The present invention provides a buckle and frame for a restraint system resisting to a harsh environment. The buckle comprising a frame having a base wall, the base wall includes a debris exit opening; and a cover which encloses the frame and forms at least one vent opening and at least one passage which couples the debris exit opening to the vent opening. Debris, dust and other foreign objects which find there way into the buckle are not necessarily trapped but rather are presented with a means of exiting the buckle via the vent opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Erin Edward Holmberg, Michael James Walton, Timothy Andrew Swann, Agus Suryana The, Jeffrey Philip Baldwin
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Patent number: 7089633Abstract: A side release buckle is disclosed to have a center lock formed of a hooked portion at the free end of the center bar of the male buckle member and a hook hole in the bottom wall of the female buckle member to reinforce the strength of the connection between the locking bars of the male buckle member and the respective side notches of the female buckle member. The locking bars each have a wedge block for lifting the free end of the center bar to unlock the center lock when the user squeezed the locking bars inwards to disengage the locking bars from the side notches of the female buckle member.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Kim Ging Hui Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun Chien Liu
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Patent number: 7082651Abstract: A clasp for jewelry includes a body, a pin insertable into the body, a stopper engaging to the pin having been inserted into the body to keep the pin engaged to the body, and a releaser releasing the pin from the body. The releaser and the stopper are arranged to the body through a single part disposed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Seberu Pico Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyasu Ninomiya
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Patent number: 7084362Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, which is used in a belt latch mechanism of restraint systems in motor vehicles and which indicates the proper locking of the tongue of the safety belt when the tongue is inserted into the belt latch mechanism. The actuator is provided in the form of a double-contact actuator, whereby the contact steel plates are arranged inside a contact space that is closed at the top, and the contact can be actuated by a slide by moving this slide into a channel situated to the side of the inner space of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignees: EAO-ESA Zweigniederlassung der EAO Lumitas GmbH, Autoliv DevelopmentInventor: Bernd Ebert
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Patent number: 7073235Abstract: Vehicle body restraint systems including buckles for latching and retaining latch plates associated with safety belts wherein the buckles includes latching mechanisms having oppositely oriented release mechanisms which are operative in such a manner that any force applied to one release mechanism which would act to release a latch plate creates an increased force on the opposing release mechanism to retain the latch plate in a locked position. Release of the latch plates can only occur upon the simultaneous activation of the opposing release mechanisms by manual force applied in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Inventor: Charles E. Benedict
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Patent number: 7045694Abstract: A fixture is made up of: a made body 10 composed of a placement portion 12 in which a stripe-shaped member (strap 3) or a line-shaped member is inserted and placed, a through hole 15 through which a bulging portion 2b of an attachment target section 2 can be inserted, and an insertion groove 16 linked to the through hole 15 and extended from the through hole 15 to an opposite side of the placement portion 12 in which the shaft portion 2a of the attachment target section 2 is inserted; engagement members 23 that are rotatably mounted on the main body 10 and that are composed of engagement portions 25 projected inside the insertion groove 16 to form a small hole B larger than the shaft portion 2a and smaller than a bulging portion 2b along with an end portion of the insertion groove 16, and operation portions 28 projected outward from the main body 10: and a biasing member 29 for biasing the engagement members 23 so as to retain the engagement portions 25 of the engagement members 23 in a state of being projectType: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventor: Masatoshi Yasunori
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Patent number: 7002457Abstract: A seat belt status monitoring system for use with one or more seat belts of an automotive vehicle. The system includes a status monitor incorporated into the seat belt buckle and has a receiver and operator signaling device located in the instrument panel. The status monitor utilizes a piezoelectric element to generate an electrical signal that is fed to a transmitter to generate a wireless signal from the buckle. A mechanical sensing member is used to activate the piezoelectric element to generate its electrical signal by imparting a mechanical force on the piezoelectric during insertion and removal of the seat belt tongue from the buckle. A microswitch in the buckle is used by the transmitter to determine whether the seat belt is latched or unlatched, and this information is conveyed by the transmitted wireless signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Robin Stevenson, Clark E McCall
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Patent number: 6988297Abstract: A security cover is provided for a belt-type passive restraint system including a buckle with a tab and a receiver. The cover includes a slot for receiving the buckle tab and an enclosure for receiving the buckle receiver. An optional retainer assembly can be provided for retaining the cover on the buckle receiver or the belt. The buckle is released by inserting a key through a corresponding keyhole formed in a tab end of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventors: Troy M. Willard, Daniel R. Willard, Wade D. Willard
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Patent number: 6983518Abstract: A buckle for belts comprises a first shell unit having a releasing piece, a second shell unit connected under the first shell unit, a locking element pivotally connected to a seat of the second shell element, and a moving element movably installed behind the locking element. When a strap-connecting element is inserted into the buckle from a front end thereof, the locking element is pushed and is pivotally rotated by the strap-connecting element to make the locking element lock the strap-connecting element. Simultaneously, the moving element is moved to support the locking element so that the state of the locking element firmly securing the strap-connecting element is maintained. When the releasing piece of the first shell unit is actuated, the moving element is cooperated by the releasing element and no longer supports the locking element to release the state of the engagement between the locking element and the strap-connecting element.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
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Patent number: 6962394Abstract: A coupling to attach a device such as an infant seat to an anchor member. One version of the coupling is characterized by a frame having a mouth with a seat configured to receive the anchor member and a lever movably mounted on the frame to hold the anchor member inside the mouth. The lever has a downwardly projecting finger that blocks the mouth of the notch in the closed position and allows access to the notch when moved to the open position. The coupling may include a stop member to resist movement from the closed to the open position. The coupling also may include a web adjuster or other connecting device operatively disposed between the coupling and the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James T. Anthony, Michael A. Wiseman, Guy R. Dingman, Steven T. Berenyi
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Patent number: 6931696Abstract: A multi-purpose buckle sensor assembly includes a hall sensor portion including a hail sensor and a printed enclosed in one package; a base plate including a metal pattern with a plurality of terminal portions for control and power lines formed in a predetermined pattern and a supporting plate including a plurality of terminal seats for connecting the connecting ends of control and power lines to the terminal portions; a movable member including at least two contact terminals for generating various control and a terminal block made of a heat-melted material in the form of a fork having three branches at the front portion and including at least one branch enclosing the connecting ends of the control and power lines electrically coupled to each other with the control terminal portions in corresponding power terminal seats, in which the hall sensor portion is cooperated with a buckle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Delphi Automotive Systems Sungwoo CorporationInventors: Jae Ho Lee, Chan Woo Choi
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Patent number: 6922876Abstract: A seat belt cover comprising a flat tubular member through which a seat belt of a motor vehicle is passed to be covered therewith, wherein, the flat tubular member has i) a slit-shaped opening provided at its lower end and having a width larger than the width of a through-tongue and ii) a slit-shaped opening provided at its upper end and having a width which is enough to pass the seat belt but not enough to pass the through-tongue. Also disclosed is a seat belt cover provided with a pocket for, e.g., a cellular phone on the outside. The former seat belt cover can prevent the friction of a seat belt with clothes to keep the shoulder or breast of a coat or jacket from becoming shiny and wearing. The latter seat belt cover enables, e.g., safety driving in talking over the cellular phone during the driving of a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventor: Kyozo Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6907646Abstract: A seatbelt buckle apparatus includes a buckle assembly for latching or unlatching a tongue connected to a seatbelt, a hall sensor assembly including contact and non-contact switched integrated into one unit, which is coupled with the buckle assembly, and for operating together with the buckle assembly to detect the locking or unlocking state thereof to generate at least two control signals; an upper case and a lower case coupled to each other for receiving the buckle assembly and the hall sensor assembly, in which the lower case includes a device for determining the position of the hall sensor assembly and fixing it thereon; the frame includes a device for determining the position of the hall sensor assembly and fixing it thereto; and an ejector including a second permanent magnet to cooperate with the hall sensor responsive to the movement thereof and a pair of leg portions projected from a lower surface thereof to cooperate with the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Delphi Automotive Systems Sungwoo CorporationInventors: Jae Ho Lee, Chan Woo Choi
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Patent number: 6895643Abstract: A buckle device including: a device main body into which is inserted a tongue plate provided at a webbing belt; a locking mechanism having a latch which is provided within the device main body so as to be engageable with the tongue plate when the tongue plate is inserted in the device main body, the locking mechanism restricting pulling-out of the tongue plate; a first detecting mechanism detecting the tongue plate which has been inserted in the device main body, and outputting a first detection signal; a second detecting mechanism detecting a position of the latch, and outputting a second detection signal; and a judging mechanism connected to the first detecting mechanism and the second detecting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe, Tetsushi Muromachi
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Patent number: 6889408Abstract: A buckle apparatus in which a permanent magnet and GMR element are provided. The polar axis of the permanent magnet is transverse to the direction a tongue plate is inserted. A shielding member is provided to an ejector of the buckle apparatus via a lever. When an inserted tongue plate of a vehicle seat belt pushes and moves the ejector as far as a position at which an engaging piece can engage with a through-hole, the shielding member is interposed between the permanent magnet and the GMR element, and the shielding member shields lines of magnetic force from the permanent magnet toward the GMR element. As a result, magnetic forces lines penetrating the GMR element are greatly reduced, and an electrical resistance value of the GMR element is suddenly and greatly changed. Thus, a buckle apparatus is provided which includes a detection mechanism that can reliably detect when the tongue plate has been inserted into the apparatus main body.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Hitoshi Muraki
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Patent number: 6868591Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety belt includes a buckle housing formed to define a cavity, an actuator aperture in communication with the cavity, and an insertion opening in communication with the cavity. An actuator of the buckle is coupled to the buckle housing and formed to include a button accessible through the actuator aperture of the buckle housing as well as a belt-anchor catch coupled to the button to move with the button. The buckle further includes an ejector spring positioned within the cavity of the buckle housing along a substantially central longitudinal axis defined to extend from a back end of the buckle housing to a front end of the buckle housing. First and second belt anchors are formed to be inserted, at least in part, into the insertion opening to engage the ejector spring and move the ejector spring to a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Gregory L. Woodard, Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman
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Patent number: 6843072Abstract: An earring assembly including two movably connected earring segments and a clasp assembly structured to removably attach the earring assembly to a wearer's ear when in a closed, locked position. The clasp assembly includes a post secured to and extending outwardly from one earring segment and a movable locking arm secured to the other of the earring segments. The locked position of the clasp assembly is at least partially defined by the orientation of the locking arm into locking engagement with a portion of the post passing into the interior of the earring segment on which the locking arm is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Inventor: Terry T. Lau
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Publication number: 20040255438Abstract: Body restraint systems for vehicles that include buckles for latching and retaining latch plates associated with safety belts. The buckle of each system includes a pair of oppositely biased latching mechanisms that are operative in such a manner that a force applied to release one latching mechanism from a latch plate inserted within the buckle creates an opposite and equal force against the opposite latching mechanism to thereby positively retain the latch plate within the buckle in a locked position. Release of a latch plate can only occur upon the simultaneous movement of both of the oppositely biased latching mechanisms toward one another by application of manual force and thus release of the latch plate cannot occur by inertial forces that may be encountered in a vehicular accident.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Charles E. Benedict
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Publication number: 20040250387Abstract: A web stop button may utilize plastic deflection to provide more secure and reliable attachment to a seat belt. The web stop button may have a first button member and a second button member. The first and second button members may each have multiple pieces attached together via crimping or the like. Protrusions extend from the first button member and plastically deflect within the second member in response to force urging the first and second members together. The protrusions may be capable of piercing the seat belt strap and/or a portion of the second button member. Plastic caps may be used on one or both of the button members to provide a larger web stop button and enhanced trim color matching capability. The second button member is shaped to induce the plastic deflection, and may therefore have a simple domed shape or a more complex, generally toroidal domed shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Michael D. Jones, Ronald E. Price, Ronald F. Hayes
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Patent number: 6820311Abstract: A locking mechanism having a serrated rod that fits into an aperture of a rotatably mounted block when biasing which pushes the block toward the direction of insertion is reduced. Pulling the serrated rod, after insertion, in the direction from which insertion occurred tends to increase biasing and, consequently, decrease diameter of the aperture projected perpendicular to the length of the serrated rod thereby retaining the serrated rod within the aperture. An end of the serrated rod that does not have the serrations can be formed into a loop for attaching a belt or have screw thread for connection to a bar. The belt or bar would restrain a person or physical object.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts
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Patent number: 6796007Abstract: A buckle mechanism comprises a female portion and at least one male portion adapted to be received within the cavity of the female portion. The male portion has a base, a central leg with a catch and a locking tab. The locking tab seats in the locking slot when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. There is a center button mechanism mounted in the female portion and having a center push button, a spring connected to the center push button and/or to a spring base and at least one flexible leg connected to the spring base. The flexible leg has a catch that interlocks with the catch on the male portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. When the center push button is depressed, the spring compresses and causes the flexible leg to bend and release the catch on the male portion so that the male portion is ejected from the female portion when the locking tab is depressed sufficiently to clear the locking slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Inventor: Joseph Anscher
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Patent number: 6769157Abstract: A seat belt buckle guard device is provided for preventing access to a release button on a seat belt. The device comprises a sleeve structured to fit over a variety of shapes and sizes of seat belt buckles. The sleeve comprises a front face and a top face that are capable of covering the front portion of a variety of seat belt buckles. The sleeve is made of sufficiently rigid material to prevent indentation of the faces and thereby prevent contact with both front and top belt buckle release button. The sleeve further comprising a split back face, which enables the sleeve to expand to fit over the variety of seat belt buckles. A top arm extending from the sleeve engages the scat belt strap with a tight friction fit to resist removal of the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Inventor: Patricia L. Meal
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Publication number: 20040111845Abstract: A multi-purpose buckle sensor assembly comprises a hall sensor portion including a hall sensor and a printed enclosed in one package; a base plate including a metal pattern with a plurality of terminal portions for control and power lines formed in a predetermined pattern and a supporting plate including a plurality of terminal seats for connecting the connecting ends of control and power lines to the terminal portions; a movable member including at least two contact terminals for generating various control and a terminal block made of a heat-melted in the form of a fork having three branches at the front portion and including at least one portions enclosing the connecting ends of the control and power lines electrically coupled to each another with the control terminal portions in corresponding power terminal seats, in which the hall sensor portion is cooperated with a buckle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Jae Ho Lee, Chan Woo Choi
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Publication number: 20040111846Abstract: A buckle device including: a device main body into which is inserted a tongue plate provided at a webbing belt; a locking mechanism having a latch which is provided within the device main body so as to be engageable with the tongue plate when the tongue plate is inserted in the device main body, the locking mechanism restricting pulling-out of the tongue plate; a first detecting mechanism detecting the tongue plate which has been inserted in the device main body, and outputting a first detection signal; a second detecting mechanism detecting a position of the latch, and outputting a second detection signal; and a judging mechanism connected to the first detecting mechanism and the second detecting mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Kouichi Itoigawa, Masakata Kanbe, Tetsushi Muromachi
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Publication number: 20040107550Abstract: A seatbelt buckle apparatus comprises a buckle assembly for latching or unlatching a tongue connected to a seatbelt, a hall sensor assembly including contact and non-contact switched integrated into one unit, which is coupled with the buckle assembly, and for operating together with the buckle assembly to detect the locking or unlocking state thereof to generate at least two control signals; a upper case and a lower case coupled to each other for receiving the buckle assembly and the hall sensor assembly, in which the lower case includes means for determining the position of the hall sensor assembly and fixing it thereon; the frame includes means for determining the position of the hall sensor assembly and fixing it thereto; and an ejector including a second permanent magnet to be cooperated with the hall sensor responsive to the movement thereof and a pair of leg portion projected from a lower surface thereof to be cooperated with the movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Jae Ho Lee, Chan Woo Choi
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Patent number: 6742229Abstract: A buckle device in which it can be detected whether or not a tongue plate inserted into a case is locked, and in which reliability of such detection is high. In the buckle device, a magnetic plate is provided at a leg portion which moves together with the tongue plate which is inserted into an interior of the case. Changes in orientation of a magnetic field of a magnet of a sensing section, which orientation varies due to the magnetic plate approaching and moving away from the magnet, are detected at an MRE sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Masakata Kanbe, Masahiro Taniguchi, Katsuya Kogiso, Masaya Tajima
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Publication number: 20040078944Abstract: The safety belt buckle, comprising interlocking receiving and inserted parts, the inserted part having the tongue including the opening at the tip of the tongue, the said tip of the tongue adapted to be received in the receiving part, the receiving part enclosed in the protective housing and comprising the U-shaped frame, the front part of which provides two symmetrically bent-inwards and facing each other portions of the flank walls of the frame, the said frame including the latch formed as a bent plate, the said latch having recesses in its side walls for supporting the blocking device, the front side of the said latch comprising the tooth arranged to interact with the opening in the tongue and with the opening in the base of the frame, the back side of the said latch providing laterally symmetrical longitudinal projections freely arranged in the slots located in the side walls of the frame, the blocking device for blocking the latch, the said blocking device moveable within oblong apertures in the directioType: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: As NormaInventors: Madis Staub, Toomas Akkel, Henn Sarekanno, Merike Sarekanno
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Patent number: 6722212Abstract: A device for measuring tensile stress acting on a vehicle seat belt has two components. A first component is connected with a seat belt and a second component is fixed to a vehicle part a spring arranged between the two components, against whose force the two components may be moved relative to one another. A transducer has transducer elements that are attached to the two components and produces an electrical signal as a function of the positions of the two components relative to one another. The transducer produces a switching signal when the components are in a first positional zone. In a second positional zone, in which the two components may be moved relative to one another against the force of the spring, the transducer produces measuring signals proportional to the movement of the two components relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventor: Martin Specht
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Patent number: 6711790Abstract: A buckle device is disclosed for releasably fastening together a first, second and third strap. The device includes a first plug attached to the first strap and a second plug attached to the second strap. A socket is attached to the third strap and a release button is molded separately from the socket and cooperates with the socket such that when the button is disposed in a first disposition relative to the socket, the first and second plugs are secured relative to the socket and when the button is disposed in a second disposition relative to the socket, the first and second plugs are released from the socket. The socket defines a catch which engages an opening when the tongue is inserted into a first hole such that the first plug is secured relative to the socket. Also, the socket defines a further catch which engages a further opening when the further tongue is inserted into a second hole such that the second plug is secured relative to the socket.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
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Patent number: 6708380Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David W. Schneider, Pontus Soderstrom
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Patent number: 6701587Abstract: A buckle device capable of reducing an impact noise generated when a tongue plate (2) is inserted and eliminating a coil spring member energizing a release button (50) and a lock pin holder so as to simplify a structure, wherein a lock bar (30) has both end parts inserted into slots (16) and is mounted on a pair of side plate parts (12), both end parts of the lock bar (30) are engaged with a pair of guide grooves (54) in a pair of guide wall parts (52) of a synthetic resin release button (50) and, when the tongue plate (2) is inserted, the lock bar (30) is moved rapidly to the front end part of the slots (16) and, in this case, the end parts of the lock bar (30) are supported on a supporting part (55) at the end of the guide groove (54), not on the end of the slots (16).Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., LTDInventors: Akira Sato, Naohiro Yamada
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Patent number: 6694577Abstract: A buckle for a safety belt with three branches where one of the branches includes a rocking lever, which is pivotably connected at one end, having an opposing free end, an intermediate groove and an intermediate projection. A dependent portion or appendage of a push button is provided including a V-shaped notch with a cam surface that cooperates with the intermediate projection of the lever. When the buckle device is un-buckled, the push button is kept at a resting position by the intermediate projection of the lever movement along the cam surface and into the V-shaped notch, where the lever is prevented from rotating but is oscillated about its pivot.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Belt & Buckle S.r.l.Inventor: Vincenzo Buffa Di Perrero
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Patent number: 6694578Abstract: A safety belt buckle locking mechanism comprising a receiving buckle and an insertion buckle with spring-loaded safety locking bars and side-pins extending from each side of the insertion buckle. The receiving buckle has an internal spring-action latch rotatively attached to pivot pin and a spring-loaded main belt release button extending from the top of the buckle. The insertion buckle has a rectangular latching hole, which the receiving buckle's latch snaps into when the two buckles are coupled together. When the belt release button is pressed downward, the spring-action latch is rotated upward out of the mating rectangular latching hole, thereby releasing the belts.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Inventor: Kimberly A. Nicoll
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Patent number: 6691384Abstract: A buckle for safety belts is provided, especially for the waist belt of a life preserver. The buckle has a tongue plate, the pins of which are insertable into a slot-shaped recess of a main body in which are displaceably disposed two securing elements, which cooperate with the pins for locking the buckle, and which are resiliently biased into the locking position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Bernhardt Apparatebau GmbH U. Co.Inventor: Stefan Glasa
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Patent number: 6668433Abstract: A shield for covering and preventing undesirable disengagement of a fastener including a female element having opposing notches, the female element for receiving the outwardly biased prongs of a male element. The shield includes a pair of opposed side rails for receipt about the sides of the fastener, for overlying the notches in the female element. A coupling member holds the opposed side rails in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship. Engagement members coupled to the pair of opposed side rails, engage the female element of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: Darin L. Hood
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Patent number: 6662597Abstract: An apparatus for use in connecting and protecting first and second ends of an article of jewelry, wherein the apparatus comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for passage of a clasp comprised of a loop and a ring member having a latching mechanism slidably fitted thereto to engage a portion of the loop. The cylindrical body is fitted to and tighteningly stretched over and about the clasp to prevent unintentional twisting of the two ends within and about the clasp insofar to alleviate the occurrence of breakage thereat and to prevent entanglement of the clasp with the wearer's hair. The cylindrical body is generally made from a pliable, translucent material to retain the overall aesthetic qualities and appearance of the article of jewelry as it is positioned over and about the clasp.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Inventor: Sheryl A. Vanasse
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Publication number: 20030204941Abstract: This invention relates to the seat belt fixing device which is combined by the housing, two seat belt plugs and the push-hold lock unit, characterized in that the push-hold lock unit integrates cleverly the push end, the lock end, and the axis trough, so the push-hold can make the swinging movement by the pillar as the center of the circle and the above structure can be made by one-step with the same function as button, the hold lock structure, flexible unit and flexible delivery component of the prior art. The present invention reduces the manufacture cost of the components and has less trouble in the assembly in order to increase the producing speed of products for falling their selling price. The failure rate of such products will be reduced and its safety will be improved due to the simplification of such components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: KINGSTAR BABY CARRIAGE CO., LTD.Inventor: Kuei-Ling Liu
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Patent number: 6634064Abstract: To improve the grasp on the tongue of a seat belt, a handle extends from the seat belt tongue in the forward direction of the seat belt and is attached in a rotating manner to the central or rear portion of the tongue to perform rotation of the tongue in relation to the handle when the handle is grasped and pulled forward to fasten the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventor: Daniele Finotti
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Publication number: 20030177621Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: David W. Schneider, Pontus Soderstrom
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Patent number: 6615461Abstract: A tongue of an inflatable belt device which allows a lap belt anchor to be easily assembled to a tongue body is provided. A tongue plate is provided on its one surface with hook-like projections for coupling a lap belt anchor to the tongue plate, and stoppers for preventing the lap belt anchor engaged with the projections from coming off the projections. Each stopper is supported by a plate spring. As receiving holes are engaged with the projections, the stoppers come in contact with the front end face of the lap belt anchor.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Yoji Suyama
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Publication number: 20030159258Abstract: A shoulder pad (24) is mounted on a shoulder strap of a seat belt so as to be positioned, in use, between the shoulder strap (20) and the shoulder of a user. The pad (24) has a friction-increasing surface (40) on a side thereof that faces towards the shoulder strap (20) and resilient projections (50) extending from said friction-increasing surface (40) to hold the friction-increasing surface (40) out of engagement with the shoulder strap in normal use but to allow the friction-increasing surface (40) to come into engagement with the shoulder strap when a force exceeding a predetermined value is applied thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Herman Wetter